Open Book participant from University of Chicago-Donoghue Elementary School take a bow after performing a skit based on Ninth Ward by Award-winning Author Jewell Parker Rhodes during an Open Book Program Author Event on December 3, 2011 at Mayo Elementary School, 269 E. 37th St., in Chicago.

Open Book participants from Scott Joplin Elementary are all smiles as they accept the Second Place Trophy for their performance based on Ninth Ward by Award-winning Author Jewell Parker Rhodes. The skit was performed during an Open Book Program Author Event on December 3, 2011 at Mayo Elementary School, 269 E. 37th St., in Chicago. Also pictured is Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Open Book participants from Mayo Elementary are all smiles as they accept the Third Place Trophy for their performance based on Ninth Ward by Award-winning Author Jewell Parker Rhodes. The skit was performed during an Open Book Program Author Event on December 3, 2011 at Mayo Elementary School, 269 E. 37th St., in Chicago. Also pictured is Jewell Parker Rhodes and Mayo Principal Stephen Derrick Bournes.

The skit by Open Book participants from Schmid Elementary featured a scene depicting the terrible conditions in the Super Dome during and after Hurricane Katrina. The skit was based on Ninth Ward by Award-winning Author Jewell Parker Rhodes and was performed during an Open Book Program Author Event on December 3, 2011 at Mayo Elementary School, 269 E. 37th St., in Chicago.

Open Book participants from Williams Prep Academy are all smiles as they accept the First Place Trophy for their performance based on Ninth Ward by Award-winning Author Jewell Parker Rhodes. The skit was performed during an Open Book Program Author Event on December 3, 2011 at Mayo Elementary School, 269 E. 37th St., in Chicago. Also pictured is Jewell Parker Rhodes.